INDUSTRY, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRADE AND FINANCE

• Completed Studies
• Ongoing/Initiated Studies

The research portfolio on the theme of Industry and Infrastructure at GIDR is fairly diverse. This, essentially, has emerged in response to some of the contemporary issues pertaining to industrial growth both at the state and national levels. Gujarat, being a leading industrialised state in India, provides a dynamic base for examining various aspects of industrialisation and their impact on the state's economy as well as livelihood strategies. In fact, much of the industry related studies at GIDR have evolved out of its faculty's sustained experience in understanding the sectoral dynamics in a regional context; and, often, out of the larger concerns for labour processes and employment generation. A number of these studies, undertaken in Gujarat and other states as well, have focused on the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with special reference to production organisation, processes of informalisation, and impact on local economies, including that on the environment. This has been captured through a series of studies on industrial clusters, industrial estates, and decentralised and home based production in urban as well as rural areas. Insights emerging from these micro level studies feed into larger policy debates on the development of MSMEs, social security and decent work. The Institute has also carried out a number of studies addressing macro-policy aspects including changing structure of corporate finance and microfinance. Studies have also looked at the issues in provisioning physical and economic infrastructure in rural and urban areas.

Concerns about the emerging trade policies in the wake of the economic reforms have been carried forward by looking into some of the vital issues, especially, those relating to the intellectual property rights (IPRs). Harmonisation of IPRs in the field of chemicals and agriculture has enormous implication particularly for the technological growth of the pharmaceutical and seed industry; current studies at the Institute have been examining the socio-economic impact of these changes.

Research in this area has meaningfully combined information from secondary sources with insights from scientifically carried out primary surveys. Findings of these studies often have been discussed at important fora, comprising academics as also industry representatives and policy makers. This has led to further collaborations and consultations by the faculty members with premier management institutes, industry associations, government departments, donor agencies and NGOs.